Asantehene rounds off visit to Seychelles

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and the President of Seychelles His Excellency James Michel have agreed to translate the shared colonial history of exile relationships from the 1900s into one of mutual 21st century points of social and economic development for their people.

A statement issued and copied to the Ghana News Agency on Monday in Accra said the agreement was made at the State House in Victoria when the Asantehene called on President Michel, as part of his five-day visit to Seychelles, and as the government’s guest of honour to its Fifth Carnival International Du Victoria.

The Asantehene, accompanied to the State House by the Juabenehene, Nana Otuo Siriboe, the Bompatahene, Nana Effa Appenteng, formerly Ghana’s Ambassador to the United Nations, the Kukuomhene Osahene Kwaku Aterkyi II, other senior chiefs, the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Elizabeth Ofosu-Agyare, and others, discussed how Ashanti and Ghana could benefit from Seychelles experiences in tourism, especially eco-tourism and environmental management.

Nana Otuo Siriboe explained the details of the anticipated form of co-operation, and said the development consultant and writer Mr. Ivor Agyeman-Duah, would lead in technical studies and consultations towards a frame-work for the relationship including those that would be established by the Mayor of Kumasi, Mr. Kwadwo Bonsu towards the twin cities of Victoria and Kumasi.

The event also saw the exchange of gifts from both leaders, and President Michel welcomed the restructuring of the new relations and the developing one between the country’s Ministry of Tourism and Culture and Ghana’s Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Creative Arts

The Asantehene told the packed stadium and international media that the “carnival spirit should do more for us than just offer us two days of fun. It should arouse all the latent creative talents in our youth, especially in the realms of science and technology. The economy of the world is driven less by natural and physical resources and more by the power of the human brain. Let our youth, in the Seychelles as in Ghana, in Nigeria as in South Africa, indeed across all Africa, grasp the challenge of creativity and innovation and also strive to reach out for the moon.”

Otumfuo's visit which comes 120 years after the exile of his uncle Nana Agyeman Prempeh and 52 members of Asante’s royalty, also coincided with his 16th anniversary as Asantehene.

In a special television programme with the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation to be syndicated on the visit and also the anniversary, the Asantehene discussed a range of African and other international issues.

A memorial service at the Saint Paul’s Anglican Church to celebrate both events was held last Sunday, with the Rt .Rev. James Wong Yin Song, the fourth Bishop of Seychelles, leading the officiating priests.